Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholic politicians to have “the courage to say sometimes ‘no, I can’t’, when the truth is at stake” and to have a coherence of life: “There is no political man on the one hand and on the other the Christian.”
During an encounter with a delegation of political representatives and civilian personalities of the Diocese of Créteil (France), headed by his bishop, Mons. Dominique Blanchet, the Pontiff said that “a more fair, more human, more fraternal world” can be none other than “a world more impregnated with the Gospel.”
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Thus, he added, “before the drifts of all kinds that our western societies know, we cannot do anything better, as Christians, than to return to Christ and ask for their help in the exercise of our responsibilities.”
Therefore, the Pope stressed the importance of these political and social leaders being determined to work in a way with their faith, because “beyond a simple personal enrichment, it is very important and useful for those whom for the men and women they serve.”
In this sense, he stressed how this determination “is even more meritorious if one takes into account that, in France, due to a lack of need, it is not easy for an elected representative to act and decide in coherence with his faith.”
“Christianity cannot be reduced to a simple private devotion”
Since the Christian message covers all the dimensions of the human being, Leo XIV pointed out that “Christianity cannot be reduced to a simple private devotion, since it implies a way of living in society impregnated with love to God and neighbor, which in Christ is no longer an enemy, but a brother.”
In order to deal with social problems, the Holy Father expressed the need for the Catholic politic Compendium of the social doctrine of the Churchconstitutes a “force capable of provoking new paths to face the problems of today’s world and deeply renew from within the structures, social organizations and legal norms”, carrying the charity of the personal and political level because “it makes us love the common good and leads us to effectively seek the good of all.”
Pope Leo XIV also considered that the Christian politician “is better prepared to face the challenges of today’s world, as long as, of course, live and testify to his active faith in him, of his personal relationship with Christ.”
In this sense, he warned against the temptation to promote values ”however evangelical, but ’empty’ of Christ, which is its author”, because they will be “unable to change the world.”
Before the request of Mons. Blanchet to offer some advice for Catholic politicians, Leo XIV, he said: “The first, and unique, that I will give them that Jesus are united more and more, to live and give testimony of him.”
Coherence in public life
“There is no separation in the personality of a public person: there is no political man on the one hand and on the other the Christian. But there is a political man who, under the gaze of God and his conscience, Christianly lives his commitments and his responsibilities!” He added.
To achieve this coherence of life, the Pope remembered the call of Catholic politicians “to strengthen in faith, to deepen the doctrine – particularly social doctrine – that Jesus taught the world, and to put it into practice in the exercise of his functions and in the drafting of laws.”
Likewise, he claimed the validity of the natural law, a rule that “everyone can recognize, even the non -Christians. Therefore, we must not fear and defend it with conviction: it is a doctrine of salvation that seeks the good of every human being, the construction of peaceful, harmonious, prosperous and reconciled societies.”
Value before the difficulties
The Pope was at the end of his speech “aware that the openly Christian commitment of a public person is not easy, especially in some western societies where Christ and his church are marginalized, often ignored and, sometimes, ridiculed.”
A commitment that also faces the pressures, slogans of the ideological parties and colonizations, so I consider: “They need value: the value of saying sometimes ‘no, I cannot’, when the truth is at stake.”
“Only the union with Jesus –Jesus crucified!” It will give you that value to suffer by name, “said the Pontiff, who recalled Jesus’ words:” In the world you will have afflictions, but have value: I have defeated the world. “
At the end, he expressed his support for Catholic politicians, and encouraged them not to lose hope of a better world: “maintain the certainty that, together with Christ, their efforts will bear fruit and get their reward.”
Last Saturday, Pope Leo XIV He met with the International Network of Catholic legislatorswhere he had the opportunity to expose that “the future of human development depends on love”, based on the teachings of San Agustín de Hipona.
Nicolás de Cárdenas
Born in 1980, I am a Spanish and journalist’s husband and father with more than 20 years of experience in print and digital media, specialized in socio -political and religious information. I have worked more than 10 years in defense of human rights and I have accreditations in journalism and comprehensive communication. Since July 2022, I am a correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News in Spain, covering international events of the Catholic Church.